1 year (2015). Signed by Texas as a free agent 2/23/15 (minor-league contract). Salary of $0.9M in majors. Acquired by LA Dodgers in trade from Texas 3/31/15.

1 year (2014). Signed by Cleveland as a free agent 1/27/14 (minor-league contract). Salary of $0.93M in majors. Contract selected by Cleveland 3/22/14. DFA by Cleveland 5/3/14. Sent outright to Triple-A 5/8/14. Refused assignment by Cleveland 10/6/14.

1 year/$0.5205M (2013). Acquired by Kansas City in trade 2/12/13 after being DFA by Tampa Bay 2/5/13 (player to be named in 12/9/12 Shields/Myers trade). Signed by Kansas City 2/20/13. DFA by Kansas City 8/15/13. Released 8/19/13. Claimed by Atlanta off release waivers 8/21/13.

1 year/$0.4861M (2012). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 3/3/12.

1 year/$0.4149M (2011). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 2/27/11.

1 year (2010). Re-signed by Tampa Bay 3/3/10. Sent outright to Triple-A by Tampa Bay 4/4/10.

I somewhat share your frustration, but I've cooled on Giavotella over the last year. He's had a legit shot to grab the Royals' 2B job in spring training each of the last two years, and he hasn't been able to do it with very iffy performances in the spring. He's now in his third year of raking at Triple-A, but he didn't really perform in 50-plus games in MLB last season. I do think he deserves more of a shot given how weak KC is at the position, but I'm less confident on him being a passable everyday 2B now. With that said, it is a weird situation. You'd think he would've gotten more of a chance by now. (Jason Cole)

What kind of career do you see Matt Joyce having? Do you think at his peak he can put up similar numbers (incl. OBP) as JD Drew? (DS from LA)

He will never be the defender Drew is/was, but the rest of that comp works for me. Joyce has been given small pockets of chances against lefties but the fact he has to sit against lefties at times for a well-below replacement level guy like Elliot Johnson makes no sense. The Rays are not contending right now so I do not see why the club does not put Joyce out there as much as possible and let him sink or swim against lefties because it is still better than what an org soldier like Johnson would do. An outside theory floated by my colleague at DRaysBay, Heath Baywood, is moving Joyce to first base if the team cannot find a FA solution this off-season or cannot trade for someone. (Jason Collette)